Resettled Bhutanese Refugees in Ottawa: What Coping Strategies Promote Psychological Well-Being?

Abstract

Background Since 2008, Bhutanese refugees have been resettled in Canada, including Ottawa. This relocation and resettling process is associated with significant physical and psychological stress, as individuals acclimatize to a new country. Purpose To assess the relationship between coping strategies and psychological well-being of Bhutanese refugees resettled in Ottawa. Methods A cross-sectional survey utilizing a convenience sample of adults (n = 110) was conducted in the fall of 2015 in Ottawa. Two tools, Brief COPE and general well-being schedule were used. Results Bhutanese refugees were in moderate distress. Using multiple linear regression, age, education, and three coping strategies (positive reframing, self-blame, and venting) were identified as predictors of general well-being ( F (11, 96) = 3.61, p < .001, R2 = 21.2%). Higher levels of education and positive reframing were associated with greater general well-being scores, while self-blame and well-being between ages 41 and 50 years were inversely associated with general well-being. Conclusions Findings suggest that a broad intersectorial approach between nurses and partner agencies is needed to enhance the mental health of this population for better adjustment in the host country. Nurses could provide support and counseling to minimize the use of self-blame and venting and promote positive coping strategies.

Psychological Distress, Post-Traumatic Stress, and Suicidal Ideation Among Resettled Nepali-Speaking Bhutanese Refugees in the United States: Rates and Predictors

“…PD is common among Bhutanese refugees in the United States, Canada, and Australia (Adhikari et al, 2015; Ao et al, 2016; Kim et al, 2017; Subedi, 2016; Vonnahme et al, 2015). PD can present with symptoms of anxiety and depression including physical and psychological symptoms.…”

Factors Contributing to Resilience Among First Generation Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers: A Systematic Review

“…Most of the studies were conducted in high income countries such as Australia [ 43 , 53 , 71 , 78 , 88 , 107 , 116 , 118 ], Canada [ 63 , 64 , 87 , 100 ], and the USA [ 35 – 37 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 47 , 50 , 52 , 58 , 70 , 76 , 81 , 89 , 98 , 106 , 109 , 110 , 112 ], with fewer being conducted in low and middle income countries: in Congo [ 99 ], Chile [ 79 ], Ghana [ 119 ], India [ 62 ], Jordan [ 38 , 90 , 95 ], Kenya [ 55 , 104 ], South - Korea [ 66 , 80 , 120 ], Nepal [ 121 ], South Africa [ 96 ], Thailand [ 68 ], South-Africa [ 96 ] and Turkey [ 45 , 48 , 51 , 54 , 94 ]. Three studies reported that their participants were living in refugee camps [ 65 , 69 , 119 ], while the participants of the remaining studies were living in the community.…”

Reflections on researching vulnerable populations: Lessons from a study with Bhutanese refugee women

“…Some refugee groups seem to be particularly vulnerable, and Bhutanese refugees in several countries have displayed particular vulnerability (Ferguson, 2011; Shrestha, 2011). A Canadian study involving 110 Bhutanese refugees found that they were at risk of developing psychological distress at any age due to their premigration experiences (Subedi et al, 2019). In Australia, high rates of anxiety, moderate levels of depression and moderate to high levels of acculturative stress were observed in one Bhutanese refugee community (Lumley et al, 2018).…”